Browsing by Author "Jayasinghe, M. R."

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    Anti-cancer activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Pleiospermium alatum, Scolopia pusilla, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Allium cepa against breast and cervical cancer cell lines
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Jayasinghe, M. R.; Jayasundara, N.; Samarakoon, K. W.; Kuruppu, A.I.
    Despite advancements in modern medicine, cancer remains a global challenge, with existing treatments being costly and often accompanied by side effects. Developing novel therapies from herbal-based products presents a promising alternative. This study evaluates the anticancer potential of a blend of herbs of a traditional formula: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Pleiospermium alatum, Scolopia pusilla, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Allium cepa. The formula was prepared by extracting these herbs individually using methanol, and then combining the extracts in equal proportions. The combined methanolic extract (formula) was subjected to various assays to assess its therapeutic potential. The methanolic extracts of all herbs were tested by the Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method to estimate the quantity of phenol and flavonoid content, respectively. The 2, 2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. The MTT (3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the clonogenic assay were used to examine the cytotoxicity impact in vitro. At the maximum dosage tested (1 mg/mL), C. zeylanicum showed a somewhat higher concentration of total phenols, with a value of 0.478±0.008 mg/mL GAE/g, while the formula with all herbs, represented 0.305 ± 0.007 mg/mL GAE/g. The P. alatum extract had the greatest total flavonoid content, measuring 0.050 ± 0.035 mg/ml QE/g. The formula's methanolic extract showed a TFC of 0.039 ± 0.019 mg/mL QE/g. The single herb S. pusilla extract's IC50 was the lowest among single herbs for antioxidant activity, 0.0632 ± 0.008 mg/mL; in contrast, the formula's methanolic extract showed a lower IC50 0.0421 ± 0.004 mg/mL. The formula yielded an IC50 of 0.0432±0.002 mg/mL, whereas the IC50 value for C. zeylanicum extract showed 0.052±0.014 mg/mL for the anti-inflammatory assay. Z. officinale extract showed an inhibitory effect on the MCF-7 cell line, with an IC50 value of 0.0514 ± 0.012 mg/mL, while the formula showed a value of 0.0362 ± 0.081 mg/mL. The extract of Z. officinale produced growth inhibitory effects against the HeLa cell line with an IC50 value of 0.0840 ± 0.041 mg/mL, whereas the formula showed a more potent IC50 of 0.0273 ± 0.002 mg/mL indicating that the formula was potent against the cancer cells. Vero cells, non-cancerous monkey kidney cells, showed an IC50 of >1 mg/mL for all herb extracts, which demonstrated a low potency. There was a decrease in the colony-forming capacity with the formula. A remarkable inhibition of colony formation was observed with the formula’s methanolic extract with a survival fraction (SF) of 57.14% against HeLa while it showed a SF of 56.04% for MCF7 cells. This summarizes the information regarding the herbs and their formula, with a special focus on anticancer properties that serve as a foundation for future research and development of this formula in the field of cancer.
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    A Conceptual Paper on an Extended Model of Goal Directed Behavior to Understand Entrepreneurial Intention of University Students
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Jayasinghe, M. R.; Shamil, M. M.; Fernando, W. R. P. K.
    Despite empirical evidence regarding the capability of entrepreneurship in improving economies, there is a gap in utilizing the potential of graduate entrepreneurship for such purposes in financially hit Sri Lanka. Understanding the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention of undergraduates in the career decision making stage and having a higher likelihood of entering and retaining in self-employment given their higher educational attainments, is important for future measures to promote graduate entrepreneurship. As behavior is driven by goals, according to the Model of Goal Directed Behavior (MGB), the aim is to test the applicability of an Extended MGB to examine the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of Sri Lankan state undergraduates. Research Gaps indicated the need to explore the impact of the MGB components, and the perceptions of supportive university environment, recessionary economic context, and entrepreneurial culture, on EI. A positivist philosophy, deductive research approach, survey research strategy, mono method quantitative research choice, cross sectional time horizon and a structured questionnaire technique will be used to collect data from a stratified cluster sample of 581 undergraduates from a sampled population of 7328. Findings will help enhance the understanding regarding the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention of undergraduates and offer recommendations for educators and policy makers for promoting graduate entrepreneurship.